a small decline of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small decline of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a minor decrease in quantity, quality, or value of something. Example: "There was a small decline of sales in the last quarter compared to the previous one."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A 10% increase in the calorie-heavy price index is associated with a small decline, of 0.22, in BMI within two years.

The Economist

The United States, which reported a small decline of 0.1 percent in the quarter, is expected to revise that to show a small gain when it reports new figures next Thursday.

The New York Times

A small decline of the film resistance in the A and B films (shown in Table 1) can be attributed to the more compact Ag NW layer and better contact between Ag NWs after top coating.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The recovery was disrupted by a small decline of EC only, peaking on 22 00 p.m.. Base flow conditions were reached again on February 7th at 4 00 a.m.

Applied Water Science

There was a slight drop of less than 1% between 1973 and 1975 and there was a small decline of less than 2% between 1990 and 1991, coincident with the Gulf War.

Forbes

Besides, the increase of the number of pods will cause a remarkable decrease of the total propulsive efficiency of the DPJP with the pods mounted on the stern planes, while a small decline of the total propulsive efficiency of the DPJP is observed with the pods mounted on the parallel middle body.

Journal of Hydrodynamics, Ser. B

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Its closest rival, IPC Media-owned What's on TV, reported a smaller decline of 1.3% in print sales to 1,035,779.

The Guardian

Analysts were expecting a smaller decline of 0.2 percent.

Forbes

While there was a small decline (9.1%) of neonatal mortality for births that occurred in the community between 2005 and 2007, a slight increase (2.9%) was observed for neonates born in the health facilities (Table 4).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expressed opinions varied between a signaling of the end of the sitcom genre, a small decline in the large history of the genre, and a general reduction of scripted television in favor of reality shows.

Wikipedia

Ucas, which administers entry to higher education, said there was a 4% increase in the number of applicants to UK universities, despite a small decline in the number of 18-year-olds in the population overall.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a small decline of", ensure the context clearly defines what is declining and by how much, providing specific numbers or comparisons for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small decline of" when the decrease is actually significant. Always quantify the decline to accurately reflect its magnitude and prevent misleading interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small decline of" functions as a nominal phrase, typically modifying a noun to describe a slight reduction. Ludwig examples show it commonly precedes a noun phrase specifying what is declining, such as "mortality rate" or "exports". Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small decline of" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating a minor reduction or decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While it is not as common as some alternatives like "a slight decrease in", it appears across various contexts, including scientific research, news reporting, and formal documents. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context to clarify what is declining and, if possible, quantify the reduction for better understanding. Be mindful of the actual magnitude of the decline to ensure accurate and informative communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight decrease in

Replaces 'decline' with 'decrease' and 'of' with 'in', maintaining the meaning of a minor reduction.

a minor reduction in

Substitutes 'small' with 'minor' and 'decline' with 'reduction', keeping the overall sense of a minimal decrease.

a marginal drop in

Replaces 'small' with 'marginal' and 'decline' with 'drop', conveying a similar idea of a slight fall.

a negligible decrease in

Replaces 'small' with 'negligible', emphasizing the insignificance of the decrease.

a modest reduction of

Substitutes 'small' with 'modest' and maintains 'reduction of', indicating a moderate decrease.

a slight downturn in

Replaces 'decline' with 'downturn', which is often used in economic or business contexts, indicating a slight negative trend.

a mild decrease of

Substitutes 'small' with 'mild', implying a gentle or moderate decrease.

a fractional reduction in

Replaces 'small' with 'fractional', highlighting that the reduction is only a small part of the whole.

a limited fall in

Replaces 'small decline' with 'limited fall', showing that the decrease is contained.

a tiny drop of

Replaces 'small' with 'tiny', further emphasizing the minimal scale of the decline.

FAQs

What does "a small decline of" mean?

The phrase "a small decline of" indicates a slight or minor decrease in quantity, quality, or value. It suggests that there has been a reduction, but the reduction is not substantial or significant.

How can I use "a small decline of" in a sentence?

You can use "a small decline of" to describe a minor reduction in various contexts. For example: "There was "a small decline of" 5% in sales this quarter" or "We observed "a small decline of" interest in the topic over time".

What are some alternatives to "a small decline of"?

Some alternatives include "a slight decrease in", "a minor reduction in", or "a marginal drop in". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a small decline of" or "a slight decrease in"?

Both "a small decline of" and "a slight decrease in" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific context. However, "a slight decrease in" might be more common in general usage.